As I reflect upon another year that has been disrupted by COVID-19 (and floods), I am grateful for the wonderful staff of MSM, teaching and non-teaching. Thank you for the love, care, and dedication that you show to our students every day!
At our Advent Liturgy today we gave a blessing to our staff members who are leaving our community. I would like to thank and acknowledge the following staff for their valued contributions to the MSM community:
- Ms Kate Borger
- Mr Justin Bryan
- Ms Alison Correia
- Ms Maria Conway
- Ms Zoe Fellows
- Ms Claire Hatchman
- Ms Justine Horton
- Ms Jo Howe
- Ms Olivia Hunt
- Ms Fiona James
- Ms Katrin King
- Ms Sissi Lilley
- Ms Danielle Mulcahy
- Ms Teresa Seminara.
Today students will have received the 2022 College Yearbook “Voices”. Thank you to all who have contributed articles. A huge thank you to Ms Fleur Kelly and Ms Danielle Ferris for the countless hours that they have spent producing this fantastic record of the activities of 2022.
I wish our students and families a safe and relaxing holiday. May Joy be your gift at Christmas and may Faith, Hope and Love be your treasures in the New Year.
In Faith and Love
Sharon Volp
Principal
2022 Term 4 Winner!
Thank you to all members of our MSM community who supported our Term 4 Raffle, benefiting our MSM Foundation and the College's future building projects.
We congratulate our winner, Robyn who will use the credit towards her Great Niece's tuition fees.
2022 was another incredible year!
We are extremely grateful and proud of our students' efforts throughout the year and in preparation for final assessment. This makes all our efforts worthwhile.
Thank you also to all of our parents and caregivers for your ongoing support, as our students thrive when we work together.
From our College community to your family, we wish you a Merry Christmas and blessings for the New Year.
Graduation Mass
Our community farewelled the Class of 2022 with a beautiful Graduation Mass on 16 November. We were blessed to welcome parents, caregivers, grandparents and siblings to the Sophia Centre to celebrate the conclusion of our graduate’s formal schooling.
Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Special thanks to Fr Gerry Kalinowski from Jubilee Parish for presiding at our Mass, and to Ms Brydon and our Year 12 Homeroom Teachers for their support and care.
Advent Begins
Although the end of the school year feels like Christmas time, and the shops tell us this, in fact, for Christians the time up until 25 December is called Advent. It is a preparation time, a waiting time, a time of patience before we are blessed with the birth of Jesus at Christmas. The world Advent comes from the Latin Adventus, which means coming or arrival. Before that arrival, we must wait.
In our society, we are not very good at waiting, but this year has taught us much about patience. We had to wait at the beginning of the year to return to face-to-face learning. Many of us have watched the 15-minute timer to see if the dreaded second line would appear on a RAT test! But after each period of waiting, eventually, there comes joy. This year, families have been reunited, we’ve been able to share and celebrate in milestones delayed by COVID-19, and slowly, our world has opened up once more.
Advent is a season for us to look back over the year which has been, to find more room in our lives for love, forgiveness, healing and generosity. In this waiting time, we can develop the virtue of patience, knowing that, in God’s time, all will be well.
Mother Teresa said of Advent:
“At this Christmas, when Christ comes, will he find a warm heart? May we mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God’s own love and concern.”
Our liturgy concluded with a special blessing over our departing staff members, each of whom has made MSM such a wonderful place to work and learn. Ms Volp prayed this final blessing over them:
God bless the steps you take and the paths you tread.
May they bring you safely to where God needs you to be.
May the peace of God calm your fears.
May the love of God warm your heart.
May the grace of God flow from you to the world you meet.
Go now, in Faith and Love.
Amen.
Thanks and congratulations to our Interact and Missions of St Vincent’s students for their efforts in coordinating our Term 4 fundraising projects.
Interact has raised more than $1,000 in support of Beddown, a local charity providing safe sleeping spaces and essential services in under-utilised public buildings. Interact will continue to support Beddown in 2023.
The Missions of St Vincent’s students have done a wonderful job in coordinating this year’s Vinnies Christmas Appeal for the Ashgrove and The Gap Conferences, collecting a tremendous number of toiletries, pantry and Christmas items for needy families in our area. At a time when requests for support are at an all-time high, both Conference Presidents have expressed their profound gratitude to MSM for their ongoing support of this important program.
As I reflect on the year that has been, I am so proud of the achievements of all students in Years 7 – 12 for their persistence to do their best work and their courage to continue with their studies, even in the face of adversity. I hope that all students have a wonderful Christmas break and come back in 2023 ready to expand their horizons and challenge themselves to learn even more.
Take care and God bless.
- Ava (Year 8) – Junior Track and Field
- Amy (Year 9) – Intermediate Track and Field
- Chloe (Year 8) - Intermediate Track and Field
- Claudia (Year 12) – Senior Track and Field
- Ana (Year 7) – Junior Swimming
- Annabelle (Year 9) – Intermediate Swimming
- Audrey (Year 10) – Intermediate Swimming
- Hannah (Year 11) – Senior Swimming
Year 11 Drama students had the opportunity to showcase their recent assessment work to their peers. The Drama students have been working in the style of Absurd Theatre which is very physical and comic. The performances were from Ionesco’s play The Lesson. The audience was surprised by the skill of the performers as they manipulated their craft, creating engaging action in challenging excerpts of Theatre. The performers in these photos are Scarlett, Poppy, Aspen and Keara.
Year 10 Drama students presented their production Dyslexia at lunch for their peers. This collaborative production aimed to challenge and provoke discussion surrounding the stigma of dyslexia. Thanks to those that came to watch and well done Drama students - what a way to wrap up the year!.
Recently, trials for the Queensland Debating team occurred and Mt St Michael’s was represented by two of our Year 9 Debaters, Lucy & Ella. Our students were teamed up with some of the best debaters in the state to create and present impromptu stances to the panel. We are so proud of the commitment and confidence that our students showed by signing up and showing up for these trials. This was an incredible experience and Ella made the Top 48 for the Year 10 team. While her journey didn’t go any further, we are confident that Lucy and Ella will show great leadership over the next three years in the debating world – go team!
Throughout the year all MSM Students have the opportunity to contribute to their house points through spirit and participation. Welcome Walk, Athletics Carnival Ball Games, Cross Country Carnival Fun Run, Mary Aikenhead Day House Cheer Competition and the House Tug-of-War Competition were some of the activities in 2022 where students were able to get involved, dress in their house colour and cheer hard for spirit points.
Our House Captains each year have a challenging job to inspire and lead house spirit with their peers. This year's group of House Captains, Charlize, Charlie, Amelia and Lucy have done an exceptional job. Not only participating themselves, but bringing large numbers of their senior cohort and students across all year levels along for the ride in 2022.
Congratulations to the winner of the House Spirit Cup in 2022, Lucy Ferris and Rush House!
What a Rush!
Lucy Ferris, Rush House Captain accepting the House Spirit Trophy for 2022
MSM students Phoebe (Year 8), Isabella (Year 7), and Sophie (Year 8) have progressed to the Nationals in the Brainways Education QUEST Challenge for Gifted and Talented. Students learn extension material centred on the theme “Dynamic patterns around us” and apply this in novel ways. For example, incorporating types of adhesion with nanotechnology, constructing a city using fractals, and conducting a character analysis using Psychology.
Out of 12 teams in the State Finals our team placed 1st in Science, 2nd in Maths, and just out of the podium finishes for Humanities to achieve an overall 2nd place. We wish Phoebe, Isabella and Sophie well in the National QUEST Challenge.
A tiny moment in time results in tremendous destruction. Year 7 Science students investigated the number of rubber bands that are required to explode a watermelon. This fun activity models how dying stars collapse, and then explode outwards. The water pressure inside the balloon resists the addition of more and more rubber bands, until a critical moment when the rubber bands cause the implosion of the watermelon. This results in the ends of the watermelon exploding outwards. It is hard to predict this, and often for a 5 to 6kg watermelon, more than 200 size 54 rubber bands are needed.
Year 9 Design Technology students have just completed a Unit called ‘Heavenly Pjs’. Using Peter Alexander’s designs as their inspiration students made a pair of boxer shorts and a swing PJ top. Using design technologies and the theme of ‘Sleepy Nights’ each student then designed their own merchandising logo.
Year 7 Design Technology students completed their Term 4 unit producing amazing earrings and keychains, which they personally designed and created using bakeable polymer clay.
Year 7 Design Technology students used the skills and knowledge they developed during Term 4 to create delicious Apple and Cinnamon Muffins and Savoury Pizzas with personally selected toppings.
The World of Maths Roadshow visited the College on Thursday and worked with our Year 7 students providing opportunities to engage in challenging, hands-on and practical activities. The students were encouraged to develop their thinking skills and to acquire a variety of strategies required for problem solving.
Year 10 students worked together in their homerooms to decorate their classroom doors in the Christmas Spirit. The prize for the best door went to 10F for their “Take a sELFie” creation. Well done to all Year 10 classes for their fantastic teamwork and creativity.
P&F Meetings: Please check the Mt St Michael's College Facebook page and App for meeting update notifications.
Alumni Meetings: Please visit the MSM Alumni Association Facebook page for updates.
As the 2022 school end draws to a close why not consider volunteering in 2023.
Our P&F Association are seeking interest for the roles of Treasurer and Secretary. These roles are essential to the operation of our P&F Association and are well supported by the College.
This year we are also introducing a Social Media Coordinator Sub-Committee role and an Events Coordinator Sub-Committee role to help us spread the message about upcoming events and activities.
Volunteering on the Executive Committee or a Sub-Committee doesn’t take up more than a few hours a month of your time. It’s a great way to meet people and be part of a growing social community.
We would love to hear from you!
Back To School Opening Hours
Tuesday 17 January 8:00am – 11am
Wednesday 18 January 8:00am -11am
Regular Trading Hours Term 1 - 4
Thursdays 3:00pm -3:45pm
Term 1
Tuesday 24 January – Friday 31 March
Term 2
Monday 17 April – Friday 16 June
Term 3
Monday 10 July – Friday 15 September
Term 4
Tuesday 3 October – Friday 24 November (Years 7-11)
Support the MSM Environment Group by donating your eligible containers! Bring your containers to school or use our scheme ID when returning to your local depot. Your donations will go towards funding our current and future environmental initiatives.
Mt St Michael's College scheme ID: C10333591
Mt St Michael’s College is pleased to bring to you the MSM Business Directory. Accessed through our website and APP, this online portal, profiles businesses and provides opportunities to connect with the wider MSM community to promote your services, sales and special offers.
Many business owners profiled in the MSM Business Directory are long-term friends of the College. They include current and past parents, local businesses and alumni who, together show a commitment to Mt St Michael’s College and support for MSM events, fundraisers and initiatives.
If you would like to be included in the online MSM Business Directory, simply email msmnews@msm.qld.edu.au.
For more information please click here
Slow down!
The Brisbane City Council, in coordination with The Gap Ward Office, recently erected an additional 40 km/h school zone limit and traffic signs facing incoming traffic along Elimatta Drive and Aloomba Road following a request from Mt St Michael’s College to investigate the traffic management in the school vicinity. A safety project endorsed by Mt St Michael’s College’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) Committee.
In consideration for our neighbours, where possible please avoid leaving your motor running, especially when parked outside a home.
Mt St Michael's College - MSM News
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Mt St Michael's College
67 Elimatta Drive
Ashgrove, QLD 4060
Australia
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